Protest held after racist video involving students in Philadelphia surfaces

The students are believed to be from St. Hubert Catholic High School and Franklin Towne Charter High School.

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Wednesday, February 8, 2023
Protest held after racist video involving students surfaces
Protesters gathered on Wednesday morning after a racist video surfaced apparently involving students from two schools in Philadelphia.

PHILADELPHIA (WPVI) -- Protesters gathered on Wednesday morning after a racist video surfaced apparently involving students from two schools in Philadelphia.



The students are believed to be from St. Hubert Catholic High School and Franklin Towne Charter High School.



In the video, you can hear a white female making several racist comments while spraying a substance onto another female whose face was painted black.



The video shows a white student spraying another white student's face with a dark paint, calling her a "slave." The other girl responds that she is Black and proud, while other students laugh in the background.



Nikole Hines, whose daughter once attended Saint Hubert, says that while the allegations are disturbing, they are not too far removed from what her daughter contended with.



"A lot of microaggressions, pulling on her hair, and laugh about it - video it," Hines said.



She hopes the appropriate actions are taken.



"I want reform. They have to do something. This cannot continue whether the school remains here or not," she said.



The Archdiocese says the video was brought to the attention of St. Hubert Catholic High School administration on Tuesday after its students posted images and videos on social media.



The Archdiocese went on to say all those responsible will be disciplined appropriately in accordance with Saint Hubert School's handbook.



"Catholic schools in the Archdiocese of Philadelphia seek to form young men and women of character. We view racism as a mortal sin. There is no place for it in our hearts and minds and there is no tolerance for such behavior at Saint Hubert's or any Catholic School," the Archdiocese said in a statement.



Meanwhile, Franklin Towne Charter High School posted the following statement on its website:



"The Franklin Towne Community is both saddened and appalled by the events surrounding the racist video that has been on social media. We want to again take this opportunity to condemn this type of hateful behavior and condemn anyone involved in it.

"Franklin Towne is a school that values inclusion and will not tolerate hate in any manner. The former student who took part in this video, and any other students who may choose to participate in this type of behavior have no place at our school. The content of this video does not reflect the values and culture of our Towne family."

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